One of the most remarkable abilities of the human body is the ability to see. How do 2 eyes come together to create 1 image that we use to take in the world?
The images we see are the result of signals sent from our eyes to our brain. Normally, the brain receives signals from both (bi) eyes (ocular). But in some cases, the eyes are unable to seamlessly display this visual information into a coherent image, causing blurred vision, headaches, and dizziness.
These symptoms could be caused by your eyes’ inability to work together as a team to create a single clear image, a condition known as binocular vision dysfunction (BVD). If you experience binocular vision dysfunction, there are treatments like vision therapy available to help your eyes work together again. The first step to correcting this is getting a comprehensive eye exam to see if BVD is causing your symptoms.
What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction?
Binocular vision is the coordination of your 2 eyes; each eye sees its own image, and binocular vision combines these images into a single image.
Binocular function is the ability to look with both eyes in all directions: far and near, in and out, and up and down.
Dealing with binocular vision dysfunction can impair your ability to function normally day to day.
There is a wide range of symptoms, both physical and visual, that can indicate you may be experiencing BVD:
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Eye strain
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Eyes not appearing aligned
- Difficulty focusing while driving
- Stationary objects appear to be moving
- Difficulty focusing on reading and writing
- Feeling fatigued during or after close-up work
Symptoms may feel worse at the end of the day.
BVD in Children
Binocular vision disorders in children can cause difficulties in learning and doing schoolwork. Parents often have very bright children who simply can’t keep up with or avoid schoolwork because of double vision and moving or blurry words on the page.
Treatment for Binocular Vision Dysfunction
Fortunately, most binocular vision problems can be treated with prismatic lenses or vision therapy. These treatments may also be used together. Receiving a thorough annual eye exam is important for detecting these eye problems, especially during childhood when the visual system is still developing.
Prismatic Lenses
Prismatic lenses work to correct eye misalignment by manipulating incoming light before it enters your eyes, allowing the brain to fuse the images from the 2 eyes into 1 when they reach the brain. Unlike glasses used to correct vision, these glasses assist people with BVD, using triangles in the lenses to prompt the brain to see 1 image.
Vision Therapy
Individualized vision therapy programs are commonly used to treat BVD patients. It’s similar to physical therapy, but it focuses on your eyes, eye muscles, brain, and visual system.
Vision therapy aims to improve communication between the brain and the eyes by strengthening the visual system and alleviating BVD symptoms. Some of the tools the team at Vision Care Center may use in a vision therapy session include:
- Therapeutic eyeglass lenses
- Filters—tinted and colored lenses
- Balance boards and other methods for incorporating eye-hand and eye-body coordination
- Computer programs and technology specifically designed to stimulate and improve the visual system
Do You Have BVD?
If any of these symptoms sound familiar to you, and you haven’t been able to find a diagnosis for them, an eye exam can help determine if you’re experiencing binocular vision dysfunction. Book an appointment with Vision Care Center in Peoria or Washington, IL. We have vision therapy programs tailored to your individual needs.
